The Implementation of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Philosophy by Maximilien Robespierre and His Purposed Reaction Had He Lived to Witness It

Perhaps one of the most influential figures during the French Revolution was a man by the name of Maximilien Robespierre. Instrumental especially at the onset of the Revolution, a period referred to as the Reign of Terror, Robespierre drew on the insights of many Enlightenment philosophers and was a strong advocate for the left wing bourgeoisie. However, despite his efficacious leadership and sentiment, much of what he encouraged to the masses is based off the writings and teachings of one Enlightenment thinker in particular: Jean Jacques Rousseau. Rousseau would be the first “modern critic of the bourgeois society.”[1]More specifically, in his text, The Social Contract[2], in which he outlines what he believes to be the necessary ingredients in creating stability in a commercial society that finds itself staring its problems right in the face. These ideas include, “Man is by nature good, but becomes corrupt through unjust institutions and laws; he is born free, but becomes a slave to injustice. Government is literally a contract entered into by people; each individual brings into the larger group a share of its power and authority. Moreover, the contract can be changed at any time the "general will" desires. Sovereignty rests in the general community and any executive power is merely subservient to the sovereign -- the people. The nation's will is expressed in law. But the individual is not to be placed above the state. In such cases where an opponent consistently resists or rejects the general will as expressed in law, Rousseau recommends death: ‘When the entire nation is in danger . . . a thing which is a crime at other times becomes a praiseworthy action. Lenience toward conspirators is treason against the people.’ The state can, at times, exercise tremendous power over the individual members: ‘The state, in regard to its members, is master of all their goods. The sovereign -- that is to say the people -- may legitimately take away the goods of everyone, as was

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